Where is Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness?

It spans western North Carolina and East Tennessee within the Nantahala and Cherokee National Forests. Its 19,246 acres include the Slickrock Creek and Little Santeetlah Creek watersheds.

Is the entire wilderness old-growth forest?

No. The two watersheds contain 5,926 acres of old growth. The Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest protects old-growth cove hardwood forest, while the Slickrock basin is primarily mature second growth, with substantial old growth in its upper watershed.

How large are the memorial forest’s trees?

Many are more than 400 years old. The largest exceed 100 feet in height and reach circumferences of up to 20 feet. Dominant trees include tulip poplar, eastern hemlock, red and white oak, American basswood, American beech, and American sycamore.

Why is the memorial forest named for Joyce Kilmer?

Joyce Kilmer wrote the poem “Trees” and was killed in World War I. Following a Veterans of Foreign Wars request, the Forest Service selected an undisturbed 3,800-acre tract along Little Santeetlah Creek and dedicated the memorial forest in 1936.

What protected area borders the wilderness?

Citico Creek Wilderness borders Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness within Tennessee’s Cherokee National Forest. Confirm any intended connection using current agency route information rather than assuming the boundary provides a walking route.

Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness

Old-growth tulip poplar and hemlock in the Unicoi Mountains — one of the last big-tree stands in the East.

Plan a trip to Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness

Where on earth

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Region: North Carolina / Tennessee, USA
Country: United States
Biome: Southern Appalachian old growth (600–1,600 m)
Best season: April – November
Difficulty: moderate

Known for

Backpacking
Hiking

Key takeaways

Biome: Southern Appalachian old growth (600–1,600 m)
Best season: April – November
Difficulty: moderate
Top activity: backpacking

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Photos of Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness

Topic summary

Old-growth tulip poplar and hemlock in the Unicoi Mountains — one of the last big-tree stands in the East.

Key takeaways

Difficulty: moderate
Best season: April – November

Intended uses

backpacking

Climate suitability

Southern Appalachian old growth (600–1,600 m)

Region

United States

Biome

Southern Appalachian old growth (600–1,600 m)

Difficulty

moderate

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Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness trip tools

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How to get there

The wilderness spans Nantahala National Forest in western North Carolina and Cherokee National Forest in East Tennessee. Choose a Little Santeetlah or Slickrock watershed approach and confirm road directions and the appropriate trailhead with the Forest Service before traveling.

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
A planning focus along Little Santeetlah Creek for visiting old-growth cove hardwood forest. Confirm the designated visitor access and trailhead with the Forest Service.
Slickrock Creek watershed
The wilderness’s northeast-draining watershed, containing mature second-growth forest and old growth in its upper reaches. This is a broad approach area, not a specified trailhead; confirm a suitable entry point before travel.

Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.

Driving directions ↗Open on a map ↗Plan the drive in the Trip Planner

Popular pursuits at Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness

Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.

Animals around Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness

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Maps, GPS & compass for this trip

Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.

Waterproof topo maps

GPS picks

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Compass picks

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Fishing at Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness

Planning to fish Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, North Carolina? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in North Carolina are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.

Do I need a fishing license at Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness?

A North Carolina fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
Read the current North Carolina fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness may add its own fishing rules on top of North Carolina law — check the managing agency too.

NC Wildlife Resources Commission — official North Carolina licenses & regulations

The Fishing Guide — species, best times & gear Wild10 fishing guides, knots & lure planner

Hunting near Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness

Thinking about hunting Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, North Carolina? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in North Carolina are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.

Is hunting allowed at Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness?

Hunting is prohibited or heavily restricted in many national parks, wilderness and protected areas — confirm with the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness land manager before planning a hunt, and look to surrounding public land.

What do I need to hunt in North Carolina?

A North Carolina hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.

NC Wildlife Resources Commission — official North Carolina licenses & regulations

The Hunting Guide — gear, permits & seasons Wild10 hunting guides & season calendars Best deer hunting broadheads Deer archery season gear list

Two watersheds across the state line

Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness covers 19,246 acres in western North Carolina and East Tennessee, spanning the Nantahala and Cherokee national forests. Created in 1975, it protects mountain country within the Slickrock Creek and Little Santeetlah Creek watersheds. Both creeks begin high in the Unicoi Mountains on opposite slopes of Bob Stratton Bald, a 5,360-foot grassy bald overlooking the wilderness’s southwest corner. Slickrock flows northeast toward the Little Tennessee River, while Little Santeetlah flows southeast toward Santeetlah Creek. That split gives the wilderness two distinct geographic areas to consider when planning a visit. It also borders Citico Creek Wilderness on the Tennessee side. Choose the watershed first, then confirm the appropriate trailhead and current approach with the Forest Service rather than treating the entire wilderness as one arrival point.

Old-growth forest and a complicated logging history

The Little Santeetlah and Slickrock watersheds contain 5,926 acres of old-growth forest, one of the largest such tracts in the eastern United States. Within that landscape, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest protects a rare Appalachian old-growth cove hardwood forest. Tulip poplar, eastern hemlock, red and white oak, American basswood, American beech, and American sycamore are among its dominant trees. Many trees are more than 400 years old; the largest exceed 100 feet in height and reach circumferences of 20 feet. Slickrock has a different history: logging affected roughly two-thirds of its watershed before Calderwood Dam flooded railroad access in 1922. Much of the basin now supports mature second-growth forest, with a substantial old-growth stand remaining in the upper watershed. Expect differences in forest character rather than uninterrupted ancient trees.

Choosing the focus of a visit

For a visit centered on large old trees, make Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest the focus of planning. The Forest Service dedicated this 3,800-acre patch along Little Santeetlah Creek in 1936, following a request from the Veterans of Foreign Wars to honor Joyce Kilmer, the poet and journalist killed in World War I. For a broader mountain outing, consider the Slickrock watershed or the high country around Bob Stratton Bald, but establish a verified trail itinerary before setting out. These are different landscape objectives, not interchangeable routes. Mountain weather and the contrast between creek valleys and higher ground call for adaptable layers, navigation tools, and a water plan. Confirm current access and trail conditions with the Forest Service; do not infer trail connections from the proximity of creeks, ridges, or neighboring wilderness.

Route options

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest visit
A forest-focused outing along the Little Santeetlah Creek area, emphasizing large, old cove hardwood trees. Obtain a current trail map to select a defined walking route.
Upper Slickrock watershed exploration
A planning objective for seeing the upper watershed’s old-growth stand and the basin’s contrasting forest history. Confirm trail access and a complete itinerary before committing to this area.
Bob Stratton Bald high-country outing
A high-country objective around the 5,360-foot grassy bald above the wilderness’s southwest corner, where the two principal creeks rise on opposite slopes. Verify the approach and trail connections before departure.

Sample itineraries

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest: Old-Growth Day · 1 day
Focus a day on the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest along Little Santeetlah Creek. Look for the cove hardwood forest’s tulip poplars, hemlocks, oaks, and beeches. Many trees exceed 400 years in age. Confirm current walking routes and access with the managing national forest before setting out.
Two Watersheds, Two Forest Histories · 2 days
Spend one day exploring the Little Santeetlah forest and another visiting the Slickrock Creek watershed. Compare the memorial forest’s old growth with Slickrock’s predominantly mature second-growth forest. Plan each day separately using current agency maps; this is not a specified connecting route or overnight backpacking itinerary.

Seasonal conditions

Spring

Spring mountain conditions

Plan for changing temperatures and wet conditions in these mountain watersheds. Check the forecast at the elevations you intend to visit, and reassess creekside plans after rain.

Summer

Summer forest outings

Carry drinking water and rain protection even for a forest-focused day. Shade does not eliminate warm-weather exertion, and conditions higher in the Unicoi Mountains can differ from those in the creek valleys.

Fall

Fall hardwood-forest outings

The diverse hardwood forest makes tree observation a useful focus. Bring layers for changing mountain temperatures and allow enough daylight for the return. Do not assume conditions in the valleys match those near Bob Stratton Bald.

Winter

Winter mountain conditions

Prepare for cold, shorter daylight, and potentially slippery footing. Check current access and weather before departure, especially for plans involving higher elevations. Choose an outing that leaves a generous return margin.

Season	Window	Conditions
Spring	Spring mountain conditions	Plan for changing temperatures and wet conditions in these mountain watersheds. Check the forecast at the elevations you intend to visit, and reassess creekside plans after rain.
Summer	Summer forest outings	Carry drinking water and rain protection even for a forest-focused day. Shade does not eliminate warm-weather exertion, and conditions higher in the Unicoi Mountains can differ from those in the creek valleys.
Fall	Fall hardwood-forest outings	The diverse hardwood forest makes tree observation a useful focus. Bring layers for changing mountain temperatures and allow enough daylight for the return. Do not assume conditions in the valleys match those near Bob Stratton Bald.
Winter	Winter mountain conditions	Prepare for cold, shorter daylight, and potentially slippery footing. Check current access and weather before departure, especially for plans involving higher elevations. Choose an outing that leaves a generous return margin.

Permits, fees & closures

Confirm current permit requirements, camping rules, and access conditions with the managing agency for the Nantahala or Cherokee National Forest before your trip.

Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.

Hazards & regulations

Mountain weather and temperatures can change with elevation; valley conditions are not a reliable guide to higher ground.
Rain can make creekside footing slippery. Reassess plans near Slickrock Creek and Little Santeetlah Creek when water conditions change.
Higher-elevation outings require realistic turnaround decisions, particularly in cold weather or limited daylight.
Do not assume a connection between named destinations is a maintained walking route. Verify routes and access on current agency maps.

What to pack for Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness

Navigation and planning

Current agency map covering the intended watershed
Compass or offline navigation with backup power
Written trip plan shared with a reliable contact

Mountain weather and footing

Rain shell
Insulating layers suited to the forecast
Footwear with dependable traction
Headlamp

Water and essentials

Drinking water
Water treatment if replenishing from natural sources
Food and an emergency reserve
First-aid kit

Build this list in the gear builder →

Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness FAQ

Where is Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness?: It spans western North Carolina and East Tennessee within the Nantahala and Cherokee National Forests. Its 19,246 acres include the Slickrock Creek and Little Santeetlah Creek watersheds.
Is the entire wilderness old-growth forest?: No. The two watersheds contain 5,926 acres of old growth. The Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest protects old-growth cove hardwood forest, while the Slickrock basin is primarily mature second growth, with substantial old growth in its upper watershed.
How large are the memorial forest’s trees?: Many are more than 400 years old. The largest exceed 100 feet in height and reach circumferences of up to 20 feet. Dominant trees include tulip poplar, eastern hemlock, red and white oak, American basswood, American beech, and American sycamore.
What is Bob Stratton Bald?: Bob Stratton Bald is a 5,360-foot grassy bald in the Unicoi Mountains overlooking the wilderness’s southwest corner. Slickrock Creek and Little Santeetlah Creek begin on opposite slopes.
Why is the memorial forest named for Joyce Kilmer?: Joyce Kilmer wrote the poem “Trees” and was killed in World War I. Following a Veterans of Foreign Wars request, the Forest Service selected an undisturbed 3,800-acre tract along Little Santeetlah Creek and dedicated the memorial forest in 1936.
What protected area borders the wilderness?: Citico Creek Wilderness borders Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness within Tennessee’s Cherokee National Forest. Confirm any intended connection using current agency route information rather than assuming the boundary provides a walking route.